Agenda and minutes

Apologies for absence were received from Councillors K Cook, Mrs C J Lawton, C R Oxby and A H Turner.

It was reported that, under Regulation 13 of the Local Government (Committee and Political Groups) Regulation 1990, Councillor M A Whittington had been appointed as a representative for Councillor C R Oxby, for this meeting only.

There were no declarations of interest.

It was agreed that the following amendments be made to the minutes:

·         Minute 46 – Final bullet point: 'Community Safety advocators' be amended to 'Community Safety Advocates'

·         Minute 47 – Second bullet Point: removal of the duplication of 'that'.

RESOLVED:

            That the minutes be approved as a correct record and signed by the            Chairman, subject to the above amendments.

There were no announcements by the Chairman, Executive Councillors and Chief Officers.

(To receive a report by Sean Taylor, Assistant Chief Fire Officer, which invites the Committee to consider the comments received from members of the community on the Lincolnshire Fire and Rescue Integrated Risk Management Plan 2020 – 2023 Consultation)

Consideration was given to a report by the Assistant Chief Fire Officer, which invited the Committee to consider the comments received from members of the community on the Lincolnshire Fire and Rescue (LFR) integrated risk management plan 2020-2023 consultation.

Members were advised that producing an Integrated Risk Management Plan was a statutory responsibility and set out LFR's mitigation of risks. A public consultation had begun to consult with members of the public on the work LFR carried out on their behalf. Around 100 people had responded to date. However, due to the low response rate, the consultation had been extended.

Members were invited to review the consultation responses received to date and to provide feedback on the LFR Integrated Risk Management Plan 2020-2023.

Members considered the report and during discussion the following points were noted:

·         It was commented that a low response rate generally suggested that the majority of people were satisfied with the service. People were more likely to respond if they had issues with the service.

·         There were three traditional high rise buildings in Lincolnshire which were situated in the City of Lincoln. Flats had also been treated as high risk properties.

·         The Assistant Chief Fire Officer proposed that a longer consultation period may be one possible way to increase the number of consultation responses.  Members suggested that parish meetings may also be beneficial to the process.

RESOLVED:

            That the comments made by the committee be considered as part of            their consultation response.

(To receive a report by Daniel Steel, Scrutiny Officer, which invites the Committee to consider the use of sky lanterns and balloons to examine whether the Council should introduce a ban on their use on all Lincolnshire County Council owned land and property)

Consideration was given to a presentation by the Scrutiny Officer, which invited the Committee to consider the use of sky lanterns and balloons to examine whether the Council should introduce a ban on their use on Lincolnshire County Council owned land and property.

In 2014, the Community and Public Safety Scrutiny Committee had raised concerns over the release of sky lanterns and the potential harm that could be caused by them.

Members were advised that there was currently no UK legislation available to control the use of Sky Lanterns or balloons. However, an increasing number of Councils, including some Lincolnshire Councils, had already banned the use of sky lanterns on Council property. Norfolk County Council had already banned the use of sky lanterns and helium-balloons on land owned by the Council, and were also proactive in engaging with businesses, communities, landowners, schools and individuals in Norfolk to encourage them to sign up to the charter. Norfolk County Council also raised awareness of safer and more environmentally friendly alternatives through promotion and campaigns.

The Scrutiny Officer set out a number of alternatives to sky lanterns which were not harmful to the environment and wildlife.

Members considered the report and during the discussion the following points were noted:

·         It was suggested that Councillors lobby Members of Parliament on this issue.

·         Members acknowledged that enforcing a ban on the release of sky lanterns and balloons was difficult, however it could discourage use and also provide an opportunity to highlight the use of more positive alternatives.

·         From a trading standards perspective there were no legal restrictions on the use of sky lanterns. It was proposed that this could also be something that was included in the licensing of wedding venues, which would provide promote good practice at the venues.

·         One Member suggested that taking a similar approach to Norfolk County Council would be beneficial.

·         There was discussion around the potential for claims to be made against the Council as landowners if it did not ban the use of sky lanterns on its land.Members were advised that there were a number of campaigns about the use of fire lanterns and balloons run by other external organisations.

·         The Assistant Chief Fire Officer agreed to look into the number of incidents dealt with by LFR as a result of the use of sky lanterns and balloons. LFR supported the Council in raising awareness of the risks posed by Fire Lanterns.

The Committee supported the introduction of a ban of fire lanterns and balloons on all Council owned land and property, as well as engaging and educating the public on the risks posed by sky lanterns and balloons. It was agreed that this be put forward as a formal recommendation to the Leader of the Council.

RESOLVED:

1.    That the Committee support the introduction of a ban of fire lanterns and balloons on all Council owned land and property;

2.    That the Committee recommend that the Council engage and educate the public on the risks posed by the  ...  view the full minutes text for item 54.

(To receive a report by Daniel Steel, Scrutiny Officer, which provides the Committee with the opportunity to consider and comment on the content of its work programme for the coming year to ensure that scrutiny activity is focussed where it can be of greatest benefit)

Consideration was given to a report by the Scrutiny Officer, which provided the Committee with an opportunity to consider and comment on its work programme for the coming year to ensure that scrutiny activity is focussed where it could be of greatest benefit.

Members were informed that there would be an update on the Council's Heritage Service  Programme at the next meeting of the Committee, along with a report on the Animal Health and Welfare review and the Blue Light collaboration.

RESOLVED:

            That the work programme be agreed.

(To receive a report by Claire Seabourne, Safer Communities, which provides a refresh on the structure of the Safer Lincolnshire Partnership and the basis on which the priorities are decided)

SITTING AS THE CRIME AND DISORDER SCRUTINY COMMITTEE

Consideration was given to a report by the Partnership and Commissioning Manager and the Safer Communities Manager, which provided a refresh on the structure of the Safer Lincolnshire Partnership and the basis which priorities were decided.

In 2018, the partnership commenced a restructure, which included the introduction of an Overview and Scrutiny Board, a Strategy Board, and Core Priority Groups.

Officers outlined a number of activities carried out by the Safer Lincolnshire Partnership, which were detailed within the report.

The Safer Communities Service would lead on a health check of the partnership during 2020/21 to ensure that previous recommendations had been implemented successfully and the partnership was operating as anticipated.

Members were advised that since the restructure in 2017, significant progress had been made across all four priority areas as a consequence of the continued effort of all partners.

RESOLVED:

            That the Committee endorse the Safer Lincolnshire Partnership plan         to reduce crime, disorder and anti-social behaviour in the            county            of Lincolnshire.